Routine colonoscopy is not required in uncomplicated diverticulitis

The latest issue of Surgical Endoscopy examined the rate of colorectal cancer found by colonoscopy after an attack of uncomplicated diverticulitis.

It is generally accepted that patients following an episode of diverticulitis should have additional colonoscopy screening to rule out a colorectal malignancy.

Dr de Vries and colleagues investigated the rate of colorectal cancer found by colonoscopy after an attack of uncomplicated diverticulitis.

MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched systematically for clinical trials or observational studies on colonic evaluation by colonoscopy after the initial diagnosis of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis, followed by hand-searching of reference lists.

Subsequent colonoscopy was performed in 59% of patients

Surgical Endoscopy

The research team identified 9 studies that met the inclusion criteria, and included a total number of 2,490 patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis.

Subsequent colonoscopy after an episode of uncomplicated diverticulitis was performed in 59% of patients.

The team identified 17 patients that were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, having a prevalence of 1%.

Hyperplastic polyps were seen in 11% of patients, low-grade adenoma in 6% of patients, and advanced adenoma was reported in 2% of patients.

Dr de Vries' team concludes, "Unless colonoscopy is regarded for screening in individuals aged 50 years and older, routine colonoscopy in the absence of other clinical signs of colorectal cancer is not required."